Wow, four years… I mean I am graduating on time, but man it went by fast. When it comes to graduating, I am absolutely terrified. The unknown void of having to become a “real adult” and start the career, that these past four years were supposed to prepare me for, just sounds plain stressful. This whole past year has been filled with “lasts,” last first day of school, last sorority recruitment, last bid days, last office Christmas party, last purple Thursday, last chapter meeting; the list goes on and on. And with my senior year coming to an end in just one short month, everyday feels like one big existential crisis. Btw, senioritis in high school is NOTHING compared to your last semester in college.

Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t have a lot of school spirit. I have a lot of strong opinions about all of the changes that Tarleton is bringing about. But I definitely appreciate what Tarleton has given me.

Firstly, Tarleton and Stephenville gave me a whole different view of life. I am from a big city (San Antonio) so moving to Stephenville was somewhat of a culture shock. I’ve been known to call the Ville a “twilight zone” of sorts due to its limited entertainment options and everything’s close proximity. It’s going to be weird when it takes longer than 10 minutes to get anywhere in town, where any night you can find $1 wells or on Wednesdays seeing a movie only costs $3.25. But I’ve come to love it for what it is. You know Stephenville has become your home away from home when you’d rather be here than in your hometown.

Secondly, Tarleton gave me my sorority and my sisters. Now being in sorority isn’t all butterflies and rainbows, however it has given me some of my closest friends who will become life long friends. Greek life in general has made my college experience a hundred times better. Even though everyone has loyalties to their own organizations or their favorite organization, Greek is Greek. It gives us all something of a bond. I would recommend to anyone and everyone to definitely go Greek. Again, anyone who knows me knows that Delta Phi Epsilon and Lambda Chi Alpha have a very special place in my heart. Even though I show obvious favoritism, I still have friends in other fraternities and sororities.

Thirdly, Tarleton gave me my work family. I have worked for the office of Student Publications since my first semester way back in fall of 2013. Now the relationships in the office may have started rough, but now I wouldn’t trade my office family for the world. It is going to truly suck having to go out into the “real world” and not having my coworkers with me. The unruly wit and sarcasm in the office will never be able to be matched.

All in all, I am thankful for my college experience and everything I have learned in the past four years. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely ready to move back to the big city. I just wish I could take all of my friends with me. Maybe I’ll come back to visit. Who knows, maybe I will be so successful that I won’t have time to come back. So thanks again to all the friends who have been there for me, all of my coworkers who became family and everyone else who has shaped my college career. Farewell Tarleton, its been lit.